Preview — Hitler, Vol. 1
by Ian Kershaw

Hitler, Vol. 1: 1889-1936 Hubris

Ian Kershaw's HITLER allows us to come closer than ever before to a serious understanding of the man and of the catastrophic sequence of events which allowed a bizarre misfit to climb from a Viennese dosshouse to leadership of one of Europe's most sophisticated countries. With extraordinary skill and vividness, drawing on a huge range of sources, Kershaw recreates the worlIan Kershaw's HITLER allows us to come closer than ever before to a serious understanding of the man and of the catastrophic sequence of events which allowed a bizarre misfit to climb from a Viennese dosshouse to leadership of one of Europe's most sophisticated countries. With extraordinary skill and vividness, drawing on a huge range of sources, Kershaw recreates the world which first thwarted and then nurtured the young Hitler. As his seemingly pitiful fantasy of being Germany's saviour attracted more and more support, Kershaw brilliantly conveys why so many Germans adored Hitler, connived with him or felt powerless to resist him....more

Tom AllenI have not read Kershaw's book yet, but I am likewise a newcomer to reading about this period of history. I just read Evans' Third Reich in Power (the…moreI have not read Kershaw's book yet, but I am likewise a newcomer to reading about this period of history. I just read Evans' Third Reich in Power (the second book in his trilogy) and can offer some thoughts. Evans seems to try to describe how the Nazis affected every aspect of life during their rule. He begins by describing the courts and the law under the Nazis, then discusses art, education, religion, the economy, etc. He winds up the book with a section titled" Road to War". While I found myself questioning how representative the narrative accounts were as presented throughout the book, each section seemed to provide a reasonable conclusion about how the Nazis ruled Germany. The bottom line seems to be that the Nazis essentially dominated every aspect of life. Their nationalistic goals had support among the populace but their methods were nothing short of insane, dictatorial, and perverse in achieving the restoration of the German spirit. Evans' TRIP leads to the conclusion that F.A. Hayek's "Road to Serfdom" (written in the wake of World War 2) was a pretty fair assessment of what happens when government becomes too powerful and too centralized.(less)

Community Reviews

Claude Lanzmann, who directed the famous Holocaust documentary Shoah, once said that any attempt to explain Hitler is an "obscenity." This, of course, has not stopped a generation of authors from attempting to do just that.

Of course, Lanzmann's statement is fatuous bluster. More to the point, there isn't a historical topic on earth that is out-of-bounds. And for good reason. Neglecting Hitler's story makes him into something more than he was. He wasn't the antichrist; he wasn't some sort of monClaude Lanzmann, who directed the famous Holocaust documentary Shoah, once said that any attempt to explain Hitler is an "obscenity." This, of course, has not stopped a generation of authors from attempting to do just that.

Of course, Lanzmann's statement is fatuous bluster. More to the point, there isn't a historical topic on earth that is out-of-bounds. And for good reason. Neglecting Hitler's story makes him into something more than he was. He wasn't the antichrist; he wasn't some sort of monster. Whatever he facilitated, however evil his deeds, he was a man. The proof: on April 30, 1945, when he pulled the trigger of a Walther PPK, his brains ended up on the wall of his bunker, and he was no more. Just a human reduced to a corpse. It's important to remember his humanity; failing to do so lets humanity off the hook.

Ian Kershaw's Hitler: Hubris is the first of two volumes on Adolf's life. It spans the years 1889 (when Hitler was born in Austria) to 1936 (when Hitler remilitarized the Rhineland). It is a straight-forward, no frills biography, packed with well-sourced facts - but dry. So very dry. It's the kind of book you'd call a tome, and not entirely in a good way.

In rating Hitler (the book, obviously; I give Hitler the man zero stars), my thirst for a compelling narrative was only partially assauged by Kershaw's impeccable credentials, thorough research, and close citations.

In telling Hitler's story, Kershaw does not stray from the historical record. There are no fishing expeditions into the realm of psychology.

There is a cottage industry of authors trying to explain why Hitler did what he did. Some writers speculate that Hitler had Jewish blood that shamed him into genocide. Others dwell on his alleged homosexuality; his alleged mono-testicular condition (Google "one testicle" and Hitler comes up right away); his alleged impotence; his alleged fear of women; his alleged scatological problems.

All of this is reductive and a little insulting to the intelligence. Whether Hitler was one-balled or flatulent doesn't explain anything, other than reinforce the fact that he was flesh-and-blood, and no different from anyone, save the fact that he managed to get levered into power and nearly take over the world.

Kershaw almost completely ignores such discussions (if you want a witty accounting, read Rosenbaum's Explaining Hitler), except to brush them aside with something akin to exasperated indifference. He allows perhaps three pages for Hitler's romances, including a paragraph dedicated to Geli Rabaul.

Instead of Hitler's personal problems, or even his personality, Kershaw makes this into a political biography. This is both an asset and a detriment. It's an asset in that you don't get led off on digressionary paths that more appropriately belong in the tabloids.

It's a detriment because the book keeps you at a safe, cold distance. Usually, after reading a biography, you feel closer to the subject, even if that subject happened to be a horrible person. Not here. Hitler never came alive in this book. Until the last chapter, you don't really get a sense of how he acted, or what he was like to be around. Compounding the problem, the satelite figures in Hitler's life - Himmler, Goering, Goebells, Strasser, Rohm, von Papen, Schleicher, etc. - are not defined at all. This has the dual effect of sapping the narrative of color, and leaving gaps in the story.

I did appreciate the methodical approach Kershaw laid out. He starts each chapter with a mini-prologue, in which he gives a rundown of everything he's going to talk about in the subsequent pages.

This helps contextualize the often-confusing and byzantine world of German politics during the ill-fated Weimar Republic. I was also fascinated to hear Kershaw's take on Hitler. According to Kershaw, Hitler was no great political thinker, and certainly no great politican. Instead, he had a gift for grand visions (and the ways to sell them), leaving much of the ideology and execution to his subordinates (this makes it even more important to flesh out those subordinates, which Kershaw does not do). Kershaw conceptualizes this as "working toward the Führer." Or to put it in other words, Hitler's subordinates were to spend their days thinking: What Would Hitler Do?

Once Hitler attained power, he became even more distanced from the day-to-day bureaucracy. It was fascinating to learn how angry people got with the mismanagement and bumblings of the Nazi party, even though they continued to love Hitler, who had effectively distanced himself from the consequences that come with actually having to govern, rather than simply be in opposition.

The subject of Hitler is heavy. The writing doesn't necessarily have to be as well. Too many times, I found Kershaw's presentation hopelessly ponderous. However, since I've already made an 800-page investment, I will certainly get the second volume.

The balance of the book is as good as the beginning. A superb overview of the Hitler years through 1936. Kershaw is both factual and opinionated, which I find refreshing.

UPDATE 3/22/14 ...

I have now read the chapters concerning the early months of the Hitler regime, during which Hitler destroyed all opposition and established Nazi control over all public and private organizations. It is frightening how easily and how quickly this transformation took place. It is also evident thUPDATE 4/25/16 ...

The balance of the book is as good as the beginning. A superb overview of the Hitler years through 1936. Kershaw is both factual and opinionated, which I find refreshing.

UPDATE 3/22/14 ...

I have now read the chapters concerning the early months of the Hitler regime, during which Hitler destroyed all opposition and established Nazi control over all public and private organizations. It is frightening how easily and how quickly this transformation took place. It is also evident that Hitler had a clear idea of the direction he would take from day one. But it wasn't day one. He had been working on nothing else for over a decade. His Nazi Party organization was in place all over Germany, a private army of 500,000 violent thugs ready to be unleashed.

*** the rapidity of the transformation that swept over Germany was astounding … within a month, civil liberties had been extinguished … within two months, most political opponents were imprisoned or fleeing the country and the Reichstag had surrendered its powers ... within four months, the trade unions were dissolved ... in six months, the NSDAP was the only remaining political party

*** When this transformation was almost complete, Cardinal Faulhaber of Munich wrote to Hitler … "What the old parliament and parties did not accomplish in sixty years, your statesmanlike foresight has achieved in six months. May God preserve the Reich Chancellor for our people" ... There is much more to the story of the collusion between Hitler and the Church in 1933, and Faulhaber might well have been opposed to the policy imposed on the German bishops by the Vatican (Pacelli) but his letter is still astonishing.

*** Hitler presented his main priority to the new cabinet (on Feb 4, just five days after he was appointed Chancellor) … all other expenditures had to be subordinated to the task of rearmament ... Hitler proposed the 'Second Armaments Program' with funding provided outside the state budget and placed in the hands of the army itself … Schacht (President of Reichsbank in March) masterminded the secret and unlimited funding of rearmament … used device of Mefo-Bills - a disguised discounting of government bills by the Reichsbank ... provided the fantastic sum of 35 billion Reichmaks over 8 years ... the consequence of making unlimited funds available for rearmament was the ruination of state finances … the German economy was set on a path which could be remedied only by (1) re-entry into the international economy or (2) a huge war of conquest and domination

***

FIRST COMMENTS ...

I have read 400+ pages, to the point where Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor in January 1933. Kershaw's writing is clear and (in my view) appropriately opinionated.

The chapter describing the political negotiations of January 1933 is utterly brilliant. Papen, Hindenburg, Hugenburg and others are all out-negotiated by Hitler. This is particularly stunning when you realize that Hitler and the Nazis were then at the end of their string, and if he had not achieved power when he did, he likely never would have. Democracy in Germany needed an economic rebound, which was happening, and another 3-6 months to stabilize parliamentary government, which it didn't get.

Kershaw concludes this section of his book by quoting from a letter Ludendorff wrote to Hindenburg … "You have delivered up our holy German Fatherland to one of the greatest demagogues of all time. I solemnly prophesy that this accursed man will cast our Reich into the abyss and bring our nation to inconceivable misery. Future generations will damn you in your grave for what you have done."

More will follow when I return to Kershaw, but first I have several chapters of my own book to organize and write, the project of the coming summer. ...more

A towering literary and scholarly achievement by Ian Kershaw showing extraordinary insight into Hitler’s rise to power, internal struggles within the regime, policy-making and governance, and every minutiae of the regime. I would recommend several other books by prominent historians or primary source documents about the Nazi Regime first as a primer, such as the Kershaw’s The Hitler Myth, and Gellately’s Backing Hitler: Consent and Coercion in the Third Reich to get a bit of the sense of the timA towering literary and scholarly achievement by Ian Kershaw showing extraordinary insight into Hitler’s rise to power, internal struggles within the regime, policy-making and governance, and every minutiae of the regime. I would recommend several other books by prominent historians or primary source documents about the Nazi Regime first as a primer, such as the Kershaw’s The Hitler Myth, and Gellately’s Backing Hitler: Consent and Coercion in the Third Reich to get a bit of the sense of the times. I’ve been re-reading some of these books to be able to refute Dinesh D’Souza’s ridiculous recent publication, ‘The Big Lie.’ Ugh. I wish some actual scholars would do the world a service and pick apart that pile of garbage. ...more

Kershaw's book is the best I have encountered at helping the reader to understand how someone like Hitler was able to become the supreme ruler of Germany. The book starts out as an excellent biography of Hitler's early years, but in the mid-1920s it changes into more of a sociological history of Germany between the wars: why the Weimar Republic failed, what average Germans cared about, and what it was about Hitler's message that resonated with the people and why. Hitler himself is such a cipherKershaw's book is the best I have encountered at helping the reader to understand how someone like Hitler was able to become the supreme ruler of Germany. The book starts out as an excellent biography of Hitler's early years, but in the mid-1920s it changes into more of a sociological history of Germany between the wars: why the Weimar Republic failed, what average Germans cared about, and what it was about Hitler's message that resonated with the people and why. Hitler himself is such a cipher - a one-dimensional character with little depth or recognizable personality - that the book necessarily becomes more of a biography of those around Hitler who enabled his rise to power.

The first volume of a two-book set, "Hubris" leaves off in 1936 at the zenith of Hitler's power, before he began charting the course that would inevitably lead to war and his own downfall as well as that of Germany. I can't wait to start reading the second volume....more

The first of a two-volume biography, Kershaw has given us a magisterial study of Hitler which far surpasses Fest's effort of the 1970s, good as that was. Kershaw has taken good advantage of the work which has been done since then, displaying an impressive range of research from which he draws conclusions that are cogently argued. He looks not only at the man himself, but also at the conditions which gave rise to him, placing him in context—not depicting him as an inhuman monster, but showing theThe first of a two-volume biography, Kershaw has given us a magisterial study of Hitler which far surpasses Fest's effort of the 1970s, good as that was. Kershaw has taken good advantage of the work which has been done since then, displaying an impressive range of research from which he draws conclusions that are cogently argued. He looks not only at the man himself, but also at the conditions which gave rise to him, placing him in context—not depicting him as an inhuman monster, but showing the monstrousness and the inhumanity of what he achieved. Both this and its concluding part, Nemesis, are highly recommended....more

As many know, Adolf Hitler was a failed artist. What this book brings out, however, is that he retained the habits of a fin-de-siecle bohemian for his entire life. When this son of an martinent middle-class Austrian customs official first moved to Vienna, he refused to work for his keep. He relied on loans from an aunt, later a small orphans pension, and periodic sponging off friends. He spent much his meager funds attending the opera (usually Wagner), and most of his time declaiming monologuesAs many know, Adolf Hitler was a failed artist. What this book brings out, however, is that he retained the habits of a fin-de-siecle bohemian for his entire life. When this son of an martinent middle-class Austrian customs official first moved to Vienna, he refused to work for his keep. He relied on loans from an aunt, later a small orphans pension, and periodic sponging off friends. He spent much his meager funds attending the opera (usually Wagner), and most of his time declaiming monologues on art and music to his roommate, and only close friend, August Kubizek. As even his early acquaintances recognized, however, his megalomania knew no bounds. He could construct elaborate fantasies about winning the lottery, and then become genuinely shocked when he didn't. He was so embarrassed by his failure to win entrance to the Vienna Academy of Art, twice, that he pretended to attend for weeks. Of course, World War I opened up a heroic outlet for him, and the political chaos of the aftermath gave him an audience for his romantic notions of unified German nationhood, and, of course, a rabid hatred of Jews.

Ian Kershaw is a social historian, so he does a good job of showing the social environment and support that allowed Hitler to thrive in the 1920s and 1930s. Hitler's first work with the Nazi party in Munich was funded by the army, which employed the then-corporal on speaking tours to warn troops off Marxism. The army and the police later countenanced his rabid attacks on the system, which were typically focused on anti-socialist diatribes, because they too hated the Social Democratic Party then ruling Germany. The system's biggest mistake was allowing Hitler free just 9 months into his sentence for attempting to overthrow the government in 1923, and then removing the speaking ban on him just a few years later. Time and again political leaders thought they could use Hitler to attack socialism and communism, and then rein him in. But the militant Nazi movement outmaneuvered them all by 1933, subsuming the forces that once gingerly allowed it to thrive.

Hitler himself sometimes fades into the background in this political part of the book, because he did not think all that much about the work of politics. Kershaw shows he cared not a whit about administration, thought little about policy, and rarely formulated coherent plans. He woke up late, listened to music, watched endless movies, took long walks, and hung out with friends for hours in the Cafe Heck even as he became an international figure. After he took power, cabinet officials had to guess at his wishes because he dodged their meetings and stayed in bed until past noon. Instead, the Nazi Regime strove to "work towards the Fuhrer," by gleaning his desires from his public speeches. These speeches were the only things Hitler himself worked on, and cared about. They were usually just rambling, emotional pleas for national renewal (including attacks on outsiders, especially Marxists and Jews) and for faith in his divine leadership, rather than policy pronouncements. The "cumulative radicalisation" that the Nazi party underwent when in power came from underlings striving to beat one another in their demonstration of aggressive policies discerned dimly from Hitler's rants. Obviously, over the long run, it was a recipe for disaster.

At times the book flags, but overall it offers a frightening image of a man who thought of little but his own destiny, and, through a combination of a singular speaking style and a welcoming social environment, was able to convince a nation that their destiny and his were one. Later, they would both collapse together....more

This book gives a good account of Hitler's highly improbable rise to power, but does not resolve the question of why Hindenburg appointed Hitler chancellor. It says that Hindenburg initially refused, until ex-chancellor Franz von Papen convinced him that Hitler would be harmless as chancellor. He could be safely contained, said von Papen, "boxed in" by conservatives in the cabinet and by Hindenburg himself. It was thought that political responsibilities would tame the Nazis. That is Kershaw's vThis book gives a good account of Hitler's highly improbable rise to power, but does not resolve the question of why Hindenburg appointed Hitler chancellor. It says that Hindenburg initially refused, until ex-chancellor Franz von Papen convinced him that Hitler would be harmless as chancellor. He could be safely contained, said von Papen, "boxed in" by conservatives in the cabinet and by Hindenburg himself. It was thought that political responsibilities would tame the Nazis. That is Kershaw's version.

Why Hindenburg changed his mind is one of the great controversies of history. Joachim Fest said the reasons were "too complicated to list." But George Seldes said that in 1932 a tremendous scandal exploded in Germany, involving Hindenburg. His East Prussian property at Neudeck was involved in tax frauds. Hitler promised to suppress the entire scandal if he was made chancellor. "Hindenburg covered over his scandal of corruption with his appointment of Hitler as chancellor." Was this why Hitler was unleashed on the world?

Heavy going in places and short on his personal life, but a very detailed account of each part of Hitler's development. Fascinating are the opportunities to stop his rise and the perfect storm of the economy, Versailles and a contemporary German appetite for authority that delivers him to power. It's terrible, and compelling.

You have to realize what you are getting into when you pick up this book. It's the first volume of a two-volume biography of Hitler, so you already know it's going to be unpleasant. In addition, however, it's extremely detailed, and you get a lot of names and places that you are unfamiliar with thrown at you. I think what would have been useful was a glossary of names and German words used in the book. At one point, the author starts using the word "Lander" (with an umlaut). I had no idea what tYou have to realize what you are getting into when you pick up this book. It's the first volume of a two-volume biography of Hitler, so you already know it's going to be unpleasant. In addition, however, it's extremely detailed, and you get a lot of names and places that you are unfamiliar with thrown at you. I think what would have been useful was a glossary of names and German words used in the book. At one point, the author starts using the word "Lander" (with an umlaut). I had no idea what that meant so I looked it up. And I got confused by a lot of German words that began with "Reich-".

Other than that, this was a very eye-opening book for me. The author was great at explaining how many of the details of Hitler's life are in question because of the unreliability of the sources. You can't trust Hitler's stories in "Mein Kampf", nor the stories of his followers and detractors. He also explained how much of Hitler's success resulted from his great speaking skills and luck. There were so many events which, if they had gone another way, might have prevented him from becoming the Fuhrer and changing the world and destroying lives.

This book is recommended if you are up for an extremely detailed book on Hitler....more

So, yes, I did pick up this book after the election. Hitler/Trump parallels have abounded for awhile now (thanks to their shared love of minority-targeting rhetoric, talent for propaganda, lack of political experience, and oh yeah, Nazi followers). At the very least, one has to admit that our new president has authoritarian leanings, so I thought it'd be worthwhile to read up on the most dangerous authoritarian leader of the 20th century. It was worth it. I found more eerie little Trump/Hitler pSo, yes, I did pick up this book after the election. Hitler/Trump parallels have abounded for awhile now (thanks to their shared love of minority-targeting rhetoric, talent for propaganda, lack of political experience, and oh yeah, Nazi followers). At the very least, one has to admit that our new president has authoritarian leanings, so I thought it'd be worthwhile to read up on the most dangerous authoritarian leader of the 20th century. It was worth it. I found more eerie little Trump/Hitler parallels than I ever expected (some even in real-time, like reading about how inattentive Hitler was to legislation mere days after Trump admitted he hadn't read the order he signed giving Steve Bannon a seat on the National Security Council), but it also gave me a much more comprehensive understanding of the Nazis, which is great because so many people try to use that history for their own ends. Kershaw also does a fantastic job of keeping track of how much Hitler was personally responsible for, and what was due to his followers/rivals and the political atmosphere of the time. I'm excited to read part two. ...more

Kershaw is at first sight an odd choice to write a biography because as a structuralist he is more inclined to look towards power structures, organizations etc to explain historical events rather than the "great man" approach to history.

However, what at fist sight would appear to be a disadvantage turns out to be of major benefit. We get both a detailed account of Hitler's life, but also a very sure footed and insightful explanation of German political history from the end of the First World WarKershaw is at first sight an odd choice to write a biography because as a structuralist he is more inclined to look towards power structures, organizations etc to explain historical events rather than the "great man" approach to history.

However, what at fist sight would appear to be a disadvantage turns out to be of major benefit. We get both a detailed account of Hitler's life, but also a very sure footed and insightful explanation of German political history from the end of the First World War through to 1936.

As for Hitler himself, apart from liking animals and being attentive and considerate to his junior staff he had no redeeming features as a person. I already knew this, but Kershaw's book makes plain what an egotistical, psychotic bore he was. Any charisma he displayed was only evident as a master propagandist.

This book is an excellent history of the rise of the Nazis. For anyone wanting an authoritative and well written account I would strongly recommend this book.

I'm struggling to recall reading a better biography than Ian Kershaw's first volume on Hitler. This book skillfully places Hitler into the context of his time and place, stripping away the myths promulgated by his subject, his subject's admirers and contemporary enemies, and by those who've stumbled in their attempts to understand how an unemployable, draft dodging crank succeeded in convincing a nation in crisis to place itself under his care. Never before has Hitler's rise seemed so chancy, soI'm struggling to recall reading a better biography than Ian Kershaw's first volume on Hitler. This book skillfully places Hitler into the context of his time and place, stripping away the myths promulgated by his subject, his subject's admirers and contemporary enemies, and by those who've stumbled in their attempts to understand how an unemployable, draft dodging crank succeeded in convincing a nation in crisis to place itself under his care. Never before has Hitler's rise seemed so chancy, so dependent on the failures of other, more conventionally competent politicians. Even his dictatorship, in its early days, was driven less by his much celebrated "will" than by pressures from below, crisis, and adroitness in taking advantage of opportunities that presented themselves. Kershaw's Hitler brings an era blurred by propaganda and myth into sharp focus. Thirteen years after his book's publication, he still deserves congratulations. ...more

A shame about the dearth of available-in-general information on the Vienna years as they are maximum comfy and followed by the funnier if decidedly less comfy two decade where Hitler bullycides every conservative, reactionary, and socialist on his way to the Reichstag.

I am very interested in Adolf Hitler and the Nazi/Third Reich history, so I figured that this would be a good book to learn more about Hitler, why he did what he did, how he became Fuhrer and Reich Chancellor of Germany, and what the Nazi's were all about. I would say that the latter two were more fulfilled than the "personal" study was.

Since I have already read many books on Adolf Hitler, e.g. Adjutant's and secretaries diaries, Albert Speer's "Inside the Third Reich", and a couple of others, II am very interested in Adolf Hitler and the Nazi/Third Reich history, so I figured that this would be a good book to learn more about Hitler, why he did what he did, how he became Fuhrer and Reich Chancellor of Germany, and what the Nazi's were all about. I would say that the latter two were more fulfilled than the "personal" study was.

Since I have already read many books on Adolf Hitler, e.g. Adjutant's and secretaries diaries, Albert Speer's "Inside the Third Reich", and a couple of others, I already knew about as much "personal" information about Hitler that you're probably going to find; and much of the "personal" information in this book was the same as presented elsewhere.

Now on to the book. While as I stated previously that this wasn't so much a "personal" biography of Hitler, it was definitely one of the best books about him, the Nazi's, the Third Reich, and the sociological history of Germany during those years that I have ever read. It was more of a sociological history of Germany and what it was like during the years of 1889-1936 then it was about Hitler the man. The author explains the circumstances of Germany at the time of Hitler and the Nazi's rise to power. He explains how Hitler was a master propagandist and great orator who was able to move the masses of the country and take advantage of economic, political, and social uncertainty and crises. It was the first time I read a book on the Nazi's of this caliber, and easily the best I have read yet--even better than Albert Speer's memoir "Inside the Third Reich". Even though this book is almost 600 pages, and somewhat academic, it was a quite enjoyable and easy read. I was able to finish it in under two weeks.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Hitler, the Nazis, the Third Reich, and even the sociological history of Germany during the years presented; you will not be disappointed. As for me, I'm on to the next and last volume in the series--Hitler: Nemesis 1936-1945....more

I then, instead, decided to listen to this book (audible). It is superb, and shows known of the imbalances that I feared Kershaw's work would demonstrate. It is a more advanced book than Evans' excellent trilogy, in that I think the reader will profit most who knows the material fairly well -- since Kershaw's judI put down my general thoughts on the historiography of the 'Hitler Problem' here, which may prove useful to some, along with the comment section:

I then, instead, decided to listen to this book (audible). It is superb, and shows known of the imbalances that I feared Kershaw's work would demonstrate. It is a more advanced book than Evans' excellent trilogy, in that I think the reader will profit most who knows the material fairly well -- since Kershaw's judgement then shines....more

Hitler and the Nazi movement are often used as a warning for what we must avoid, but not necessarily with a lot of context as to the specific history which created Hitler and allowed him and his movement to take power. Kershaw's exhaustive treatment is consistently engaging. I'm eager to finish the second volume as well.

This is a very good book. It is a very concrete and very readable exploration of Hitler's rise to power, explicitly addressing and deconstructing various broad "explanations" (such as Hitler was mad genius, he was a puppet, he was a rube who happened to be in the "right" place at the right time). This motivation is further framed by the broader question of whether history is an irresistible current that sweeps us all along or whether specific individuals can alter that course. Kershaw's answer tThis is a very good book. It is a very concrete and very readable exploration of Hitler's rise to power, explicitly addressing and deconstructing various broad "explanations" (such as Hitler was mad genius, he was a puppet, he was a rube who happened to be in the "right" place at the right time). This motivation is further framed by the broader question of whether history is an irresistible current that sweeps us all along or whether specific individuals can alter that course. Kershaw's answer to all these questions is somewhere between each of the possible poles. Of course, you get a lot of solid history along the way.

On a personal note, it's nice to finally have a sense of what the Nazis believed. In so many of the conflicts of the twentieth century, people voluntarily fought and died to put in place authoritarian regimes, and one does oneself a disservice to dismiss those people's motivations as just stupidity or evil.

Hence, here is my CliffsNotes understanding of Nazi philosophy. (This is also important today if one wants to assess the accuracy of the all the names that flippantly get tossed around during political "discourse" online.) Nazis are "national socialists", explicitly in favor of working together for the coordinated good of the society, suppressing the individual under a strong authoritarian leader, and with a whole bunch of weird racial theory along for the ride. They have an uneasy alliance with business and bureaucracy (Hitler's appeals to the bourgeoisie promised security and downplayed the revolutionary components he sold his to other parts of his base), but they are bitterly against both capitalists and Marxists (which, recall the weirdness, are both identified with Jews). The authoritarian component means they are very much against parliamentarians and democratic socialists, and much of the early Nazi strategizing in the Weimar Republic revolved around whether or not their efforts to dismantle the system should operate within the system. The term "Marxists" above is a catch-all term for democratic socialists and Communists and other sibling philosophies. None of the Nazi outlook described above was really novel, but the Nazis folded it all together under a cult-of-personality that allowed a number of related, but bitterly divided, parties to put aside their differences, unifying under the acceptance of the strong leader and under their fear/hatred of the middle and the left.

Some other notes for future reference...

Hitler's late teens could be the premise of a sitcom. He was an aimless loaf with grandiose ideas and no talent or drive. At one point, he and his only friend became roommates while Hitler pretended to attend school. His friend eventually found out and Hitler was forced to reapply. After being rejected again, he disappeared without a trace, not seeing the friend for decades. The assumption is disappearing was his uninspired alternative to having to admit the truth.

He then transitioned into a period of homelessness, sleeping in the open or at men's shelters, eventually settling into scraping a meager income out of selling his paintings to tourists. Even here, he was aimless, his salesperson constantly hounding him to be more productive. The first World War dramatically improved his lot in life. After the war ended, with no prospects beyond returning to his old existence and at the tail end of an artificially long enlistment, he was assigned a role of influencing other soldiers, where his hitherto unrecognized oratory skills were rewarded with recruitment to the precursor to the Nazi political party.

Hitler in lederhosen is an unjustifiably comical image. It probably shouldn't be, and there's probably a moral in the fact that it is.

His oratory skills were instrumental in the rise of his political allies, but when the opportunity arose, Hitler was not initially decisive in taking command of the party; Kershaw repeatedly emphasizes how Hitler was slow and indecisive when confronted with difficulty, but was then resolute when his hand was forced. Kershaw also periodically steps back from the narrative to recount the way Hitler's insecurities gradually gave way to believing his own carefully curated hype about his infallible leadership. The subtitle of the book is Hubris, a key component of both Hitler's psyche and the way in which he secured and executed leadership.

Chapter 3, titled Elation and Embitterment, begins with the flat statement that "the First World War made Hitler possible."

Chapter 6, titled The "Drummer", describes propaganda as Hitler's "lifeblood". This is not a just a comment on the rise of the Nazis, but on Hitler himself; he had no talent or interest in any the myriad details of acquiring or executing power. Rather, his every plan and his every response to a challenge was a campaigning blitz. His position within the party was secured by what he could offer the party: oration and propaganda. Later, the many little offshoots of the authoritarian right all unified behind a vision of Hitler as the party. Like the later acceptance of the Nazi party throughout all of Germany, this was at times genuine acceptance of his vision and at other times a simple pragmatic alliance. For example, there was no coherent way they could have reconciled all the policy disagreements between the different movements or even prevent currently-unified components from fractionalizing; viewing Hitler as synonymous with the party was a neat resolution to the impossible problem of actually clarifying policy. Later, as dictator, this anti-detail style encouraged people to do things that they thought fit the party doctrine (meaning things Hitler would approve), then hold their breath to see if they were rewarded. The result was a bureaucracy where things took on a life of their own, which was not a sustainable way to govern.

In Chapter 6, Kershaw describes the role of the leader of Nazi philosophy as amounting "to a secularized belief in salvation". The same chapter uses a quote by Knilling to summarize the doomed middling path of the current government, seeing the enemy as being on the left and the danger being on the right; making a deal with and hoping to control the latter was a choice with grave consequences. Later, in Chapter 8, titled Mastery over the Movement, Kershaw describes police reports that describe peasant supporters who had no idea of the party's aims, but were supportive out of a certainty that the government was corrupt and incapable.

The rapid formalization of antisemitism is shocking. Within months of Hitler acquiring the Chancellorship, signs forbidding customers from frequenting Jewish doctors began to appear on doorways. It's worth remembering all these violent conflicts between political parties (also worth remembering that political violence and paramilitary organizations was the norm throughout the interwar period) happened against a backdrop of near-universal antisemitism. One of few things these fractious warring movements could agree on was antisemitism, but there is a point under Nazi rule where German Jews begin to flee the transition from common, but isolated, racist realities to state-sponsored oppression. Concentration camps, first used for political adversaries, were just being set up by the time the book ends; it is both chilling and baffling to consider where things are headed.

my favorite quote: "There are times- they mark the danger point for a political system- when politicians can no longer communicate, when they stop understanding the language of the people they are supposed to be representing."...more

A detailed biography of Hitler's life until his rise to power in 1936. Sir Ian Kershaw, an expert on the Nazi Party and Hitler, explains that he came to the idea of writing a biography backwards. "Biography had never figured in my intellectual plans as something I might want to write. I had been much more drawn to social history," says Kershaw in his introduction.

Kershaw concentrates on key turning points during Hitler's life, whether it is entering the army, being mentored by Capt. Karl Mayr, oA detailed biography of Hitler's life until his rise to power in 1936. Sir Ian Kershaw, an expert on the Nazi Party and Hitler, explains that he came to the idea of writing a biography backwards. "Biography had never figured in my intellectual plans as something I might want to write. I had been much more drawn to social history," says Kershaw in his introduction.

Kershaw concentrates on key turning points during Hitler's life, whether it is entering the army, being mentored by Capt. Karl Mayr, or decisions taken to initiate the 1924 putsch in Munich. The author takes the postion that the unique German political environment in the post-war period made Hitler possible, as he was a man with few talents beyond speaking and propagandizing: "With the changed conditions, the product of a lost war, revolution, and a pervasive snese of national humiliation, Hitler would have remained a nobody. Another time, another place, and the message would have been ineffective, absurd even."

Though Kershaw doesn't say during his foreward that sorting out fact from fiction about Hitler's early life was one of his goals, Kershaw concentrates on it in detail and reveals how Adolf hid facts from even the closest of colleagues. The author's portrayal of Hitler's personality using comments from colleagues that he considers cogent is excellent.

His chapter on the Munich putsch attempt during the hyper-inflationary period of 1924 is masterfully written, with details about what happened during the confusion of those 24 hours. Kershaw also blames Bavarian officials for allowing Hitler to turn the failed putsch on its head and into a propaganda victory that the future dictator could build upon for his rise to power. Normally, he notes, Hitler would have been deported for acts of treason following his conviction, but a nationalist judge aided Hitler in evading responsibility for the failed revolution....more

There is no doubt that this is the definitive biography of one of the most detested human beings history has yet produced. I found myself hoping to capture a glimpse of humanity in Hitler. Something to illustrate that there was humanity buried under the dark depths. I didn't find it. Any author knows that engaging a reader involves creating likable (if not loveable) characters, and there is nothing to like here. This is hardly Kershaw's fault, per se, however, it consequently leaves the narrativThere is no doubt that this is the definitive biography of one of the most detested human beings history has yet produced. I found myself hoping to capture a glimpse of humanity in Hitler. Something to illustrate that there was humanity buried under the dark depths. I didn't find it. Any author knows that engaging a reader involves creating likable (if not loveable) characters, and there is nothing to like here. This is hardly Kershaw's fault, per se, however, it consequently leaves the narrative feeling sterile and uninspired. I found large segments of the book to be dull and droning. There are redeeming qualities, hence the 3 star rating. Thanks to such detailed coverage, I now understand exactly the catastrophic stream of coincidences that led to the rise of the Third Reich, and I have a better understanding of how little Hitler himself had to do with that rise, and conversely, how much the leadership of the day, and the German people, had to do with it. It's both frightening and heartbreaking to know how the events unfolded, and to have so little to point to as "oh, well *that* will never happen again" The sad truth is that it will and it does. ...more

I have read a number of popular, multi-volume or extra-length biographies. (Manchester's "The Last Lion" series; McCullough's "John Adams"; Lewisohn's "The Beatles: All These Years") Although all these books have impressive reviews, I've felt the same way about all of them: they are seriously in need of editing. The length comes from a huge volume of minutiae and, in some case, author speculation. In short, all these books could lose anywhere form one third to one half the volume without a signiI have read a number of popular, multi-volume or extra-length biographies. (Manchester's "The Last Lion" series; McCullough's "John Adams"; Lewisohn's "The Beatles: All These Years") Although all these books have impressive reviews, I've felt the same way about all of them: they are seriously in need of editing. The length comes from a huge volume of minutiae and, in some case, author speculation. In short, all these books could lose anywhere form one third to one half the volume without a significant decrease in information relayed.

Unfortunately, I have found the first volume of Kershaw's Hitler biography to be no different. Nearly the first quarter to one third of the book, focusing on Hitler before his 30s, is full of speculation and author opinion which seems to substitute for the general lack of information available about this part of Hitler's life. I found the second half to be more enjoyable but having excessive information that added no real overall value.

Having said all this, I will read the second volume, mainly to get Kershaw's complete picture. However, in hindsight, I wish I opted for John Toland's biography instead of Kershaw's....more

Kershaw answers the question of how such a man as Hitler could have led a nation into the abyss. He exposes the hollow core of Hitler's being that enabled him to appeal to different segments of German society. His absolute certainty in his infallibility convinced many that he had all the right answers. Hitler's tendency for procrastination and his uninterest in the administration and mechanics of governance enabled him to distance himself from objectionable actions of his followers. Kershaw is bKershaw answers the question of how such a man as Hitler could have led a nation into the abyss. He exposes the hollow core of Hitler's being that enabled him to appeal to different segments of German society. His absolute certainty in his infallibility convinced many that he had all the right answers. Hitler's tendency for procrastination and his uninterest in the administration and mechanics of governance enabled him to distance himself from objectionable actions of his followers. Kershaw is brilliant at showing the reader the behind the scenes manipulation of events and Hitler's genius at propaganda. It's easy for an historian to explain events in hindsight but difficult to place the reader in the time frame showing how nothing is inevitable. Overall, Kershaw achieves an objective account of one of the most evil figures in human history. ...more

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it was really poorly written. The author's syntax was incredibly awkward and often confusing. He was very prone to writing long, run-on sentences that often were an entire page long. So, why did I slog through 1200 pages of this book; The author produced an incredibly detailed portrayal of Hitler and the country and people he destroyed. I have read a lot about WWII and about Hitler but never before got such an intimate and detailed portraitI have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it was really poorly written. The author's syntax was incredibly awkward and often confusing. He was very prone to writing long, run-on sentences that often were an entire page long. So, why did I slog through 1200 pages of this book; The author produced an incredibly detailed portrayal of Hitler and the country and people he destroyed. I have read a lot about WWII and about Hitler but never before got such an intimate and detailed portrait of this man & the inner workings of Nazism. Overall, the book was difficult but fascinating. In the end, I am glad that I stuck with it. ...more

An excellent biography. Well written and scientifically sound almost everywhere. This is probably the definitive biography of Hitler. The whole book is fascinating, but the very first chapters on his youth doubly so. Kershaw deals with a lot of silly myths about the man and soundly refutes a lot of them. The key to understanding Hitler, and ultimately the Second World War is understanding that Hitler was human and that his followers were human. The fact that he wasn't a mythical monster makes thAn excellent biography. Well written and scientifically sound almost everywhere. This is probably the definitive biography of Hitler. The whole book is fascinating, but the very first chapters on his youth doubly so. Kershaw deals with a lot of silly myths about the man and soundly refutes a lot of them. The key to understanding Hitler, and ultimately the Second World War is understanding that Hitler was human and that his followers were human. The fact that he wasn't a mythical monster makes the whole tragedy of it all so much worse.

I would say that you cannot understand the history of the 20th Century until you've read Kershaw's seminal work. Read this book!...more

Others have given more lengthy reviews and considering I finished this book literally minutes ago, I am feeling too lazy to say what others have already said about this book in their reviews. I would rate Hitler the man zero stars of course, but that is not why I read these kind of books. I take an interest in understanding how people's minds at both ends of the extremes because I think it helps us to understand ourselves. This is probably the most complete account I've ever read of this time peOthers have given more lengthy reviews and considering I finished this book literally minutes ago, I am feeling too lazy to say what others have already said about this book in their reviews. I would rate Hitler the man zero stars of course, but that is not why I read these kind of books. I take an interest in understanding how people's minds at both ends of the extremes because I think it helps us to understand ourselves. This is probably the most complete account I've ever read of this time period, but the book can seem pretty dry. In fact, I think I may need to wait a little while before I am able to endure through Vol. 2. The information though is top notch....more

I read this first of a two-volume biography of Hitler over the last week and found it a fascinating story, one which I still don't understand, having never lived through anything like the social chaos that existed in Germany in the 1920s until the re-occupation of the Rhineland, which is where the first volume ends. The book is almost totally about Hitler's political career, and it's an amazing story. I thank my lucky stars that I didn't have to experience it firsthand. I'm going to read the secI read this first of a two-volume biography of Hitler over the last week and found it a fascinating story, one which I still don't understand, having never lived through anything like the social chaos that existed in Germany in the 1920s until the re-occupation of the Rhineland, which is where the first volume ends. The book is almost totally about Hitler's political career, and it's an amazing story. I thank my lucky stars that I didn't have to experience it firsthand. I'm going to read the second volume soon....more

This book is so much more than a Hitler biography. It also is a history of Germany during the 1920s and 1930s, an era that tends to be overshadowed by the war itself. Kernshaw, for example, does a terrific job of showing the chaotic conditions in Bavaria as rival political groups fought in the streets. Kernshaw treats Hitler as he should, letting the facts speak for themselves. Throughout he uses telling bits of detail to provide a full portrait of the man. All in all, its a wonderfully writtenThis book is so much more than a Hitler biography. It also is a history of Germany during the 1920s and 1930s, an era that tends to be overshadowed by the war itself. Kernshaw, for example, does a terrific job of showing the chaotic conditions in Bavaria as rival political groups fought in the streets. Kernshaw treats Hitler as he should, letting the facts speak for themselves. Throughout he uses telling bits of detail to provide a full portrait of the man. All in all, its a wonderfully written and incredibly well researched book....more

A really excellent character study and explanation of how Hitler, a shirker and a failure in his young life until service during WWI, was able to rise from obscurity into adulated hero. I had trouble at times with Kershaw's writing style and complicated sentences, but overall a masterful job explaining the many moving parts which caused Hitler to gain the blind faith of an adoring Germany. At times, it is hard to believe it all happened, yet it did. Looking forward to reading the follow-on, NemeA really excellent character study and explanation of how Hitler, a shirker and a failure in his young life until service during WWI, was able to rise from obscurity into adulated hero. I had trouble at times with Kershaw's writing style and complicated sentences, but overall a masterful job explaining the many moving parts which caused Hitler to gain the blind faith of an adoring Germany. At times, it is hard to believe it all happened, yet it did. Looking forward to reading the follow-on, Nemesis....more

Professor Sir Ian Kershaw is a British historian, noted for his biographies of Adolf Hitler. Ian Kershaw studied at Liverpool (BA) and Oxford (D. Phil). He was a lecturer first in medieval, then in modern, history at the University of Manchester. In 1983-4 he was Visiting Professor of Modern History at the Ruhr University in Bochum, West Germany. From 1987 to 1989 he was Professor of Modern HistorProfessor Sir Ian Kershaw is a British historian, noted for his biographies of Adolf Hitler. Ian Kershaw studied at Liverpool (BA) and Oxford (D. Phil). He was a lecturer first in medieval, then in modern, history at the University of Manchester. In 1983-4 he was Visiting Professor of Modern History at the Ruhr University in Bochum, West Germany. From 1987 to 1989 he was Professor of Modern History at the University of Nottingham, and since 1989 has been Professor of Modern History at Sheffield. He is a fellow of the British Academy, of the Royal Historical Society, of the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, and of the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung in Bonn. He retired from academic life in the autumn semester of 2008.